Apparatus for filling tanks and like receptacles with liquid



Dec. 30, 1952 J R RQBERTSON 2,623,513

APPARATUS FOR FILLING TANKS AND LIKE RECEPTACLES WITH LIQUID Filed July 27, 1950 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Dec. 30, 1952 .J. R. ROBERTSDN 2,623,513

APPARATUS FOR FILLING TANKS AND LIKE RECEPTACLES WITH LIQUID Filed July 27, 1950 2 SI-EETS-SHEET 2 \Nx/ENTOQ:

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Patented Dec. 30, 1952 APPARATUS FOR FILLING TANKS AND LIKE RECEPTACLES WITH LIQUID John Raymond Robertson, Edgmond, near Newport, England Application July 27, 1950, Serial No. 176,095 In Great Britain July 31, 1949 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for filling tanks and like receptacles with liquid, and has for its object to provide means whereby a variety of tasks can be performed. by power which have hitherto been done'by hand.

The apparatus forming the subject of the invention is particularly suitable for use on farms, and it can be used in every case where a liquid is to be fed from storage into a tank. It can also be used for emptying liquid containers, such for instance as wells or septic tanks.

One particular application of the invention is for filling the fuel tanks of farm tractors. Very few farms are equipped with fuel pumps and the usual practice is to fill a liquid container from a storage tank, carry the liquid container by hand to the tractor, and pour the fuel into the tank of the tractor. The present invention enables the operation of filling the tractor to be effected by power and much more quickly than can be done by hand.

There are a number of other applications of the invention. It can for instance be used for clearing flooded drains.

In order to use the apparatus forming the subject of the invention it is necessary to have available an internal combustion engine. This may however be the engine of a tractor or other motor vehicle, or a stationary internal combustion engine may be used where available. Alternatively, where a suction pump is available, as is the case when mechanical milking apparatus is available, the suction may be used for providing the necessary energy.

Apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention in its simplest form comprises a cover adapted to be applied to the mouth of a tank or a collecting vessel and to form a substantially airtight engagement therewith, this cover having two openings to which pipes may be connected, whereby one opening may be connected to :a source of suction and the other to the liquid or granular material which it is desired to move so that the liquid or granular material may be fed to the vessel.

In some cases where it is simply a question of clearing a fio-oded drain, the collecting vessel may have an outlet so that the liquid can pass to any desired point.

The cover to be applied to the fuel tank or col- 1 lecting vessel may comprise a plate having means whereby it can make an airtight or nearly airtight engagement with the filler opening of the tank or vessel, an open-ended inlet tube extend having its upper end adapted for receiving a pipe connection to a fuel storage tank or to other liquid supply, a second tube secured to the plate and projecting downwardly into the upper part of the fuel tank or collecting vessel, the lower end of this tube being open and the part of the tube within the tank or vessel having one or more slots in its side and containing a float, the upper end of the tube connecting with a passage through the plate adapted to be connected by a pipe to a source of suction, the float operating automatically to close the suction passage to the source of suction when it rises to or above the top of the slot or slots. i

The top of the float may be grooved so that when the fioat' is in its highest position it does not completely seal the pipe connection to the engine but allows a very small quantity of fuel to pass into the induction pipe so as to enrich the mixture passing to the engine. The effect of this can be seen by observing the exhaust, thus providinga visible indication that thefuel tank or collecting vessel is full. I g

The float may be of hollow cylindrical form, or it may be formed as an inverted cup or a hollow ball.

The top of the inlet tube may'project' into a circular recess in the top of the plate so that the end of the pipe from the storage tank or liquid supply can be pushed onto the projecting upper end of this inlet tube and its exterior surface will engage the wall of the recess. i

A cock or valve may be provided on the plate or in the pipe controlling the passage to the source of suction. i

According to a further feature of the present invention a spring-loaded non-return valve is provided-in the inlet passage. This non-return valve may be provided in the end portion of the pipe conveying the liquid to the tank or collecting vessel, or alternatively it may be in the inlet tube.

According ent invention slots are provided in th part of the inlet-tube which isdisposed in the upper part of the tank or collecting vessel so that if the storto a further feature of the pres- I Figure 1 is a view in side elevation showing one application of the invention;

Figure 2 is a side view partly in section illustrating this construction;

Figure 3 is a sectional view in side elevation showing the plate which is applied to the filler opening of the tank, and showing associated parts;

Figure 4 is a section on line 44 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the fitting used at the end of the liquid supply pipe.

In the construction illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, the invention is shown as applied to a farm tractor, which is shown at H]. The farm tractor is provided with th usual fuel tank H at the top of which is a filler opening l2, around which is an upwardly-projecting boss I 3.

It is assumed that the liquid fuel sup-ply vessel is below ground level, as indicated at H, or otherwise at a level which does not. allow of a gravity feed and a pipe connection ['5 is provided 'by which the liquid fuel may reach the tank I I. A second ipe connection I6 :is provided from a plate H, which forms a closure for "the opening I2 to th induction pipe 18 of theengine.

The plate ll screws into a thread [.9 in the boss I3 surrounding the filler opening of the tank II, the plate I! being provided with a flange 2%] between which and the top of the boss I3 is a compressible'washer '2! so that the plate is connected to the tank in an airtight manner.

The plate I! is provided with an L-shaped opening 22 into one end of which screws the casing 23 of a two-way valve 24. The valve casing 23 is connected by a union 25 to the pipe IS, the opposite end of which is connected by a union 26 to the induction pipe I8.

The L-shaped passage 22 can thus be placed in communication with the induction pipe when the valve 24 is in the position shown in Figure 3, or by turning the valve through a right angle this communication may be severed and the L-shaped opening pipe may be placed in communication with the atmosphere through the port 21 in the valve casing 23, thus destroying the suction in the tank.

Fixed in the lower side of the plate l1 and arranged concentrically with the vertical limb of the L-shaped passage 22 is a guide tube 28 containing a float 29 which in its lowest position rests upon a stop pin 30. Slots 3| are provided in the side of the guide tube 28 so that when suction is applied to the tank it will not draw the float up the guide tube. The float is of hollow cylindrical form and is provided with a slot 32 extending across its top. The purpose of the float is to prevent fuel in quantities being sucked into the pipe l6 and thence into the engine induction system. As the fuel rises in the tank J l the float 29 moves up the guide tube 28 until it nearly closes the lower end of the vertical limb of the L- shaped passa e 22. A small amount of :fuel may be allowed to pass along the groove 32 and into the passage 22, and thence into the pipe Hi. This will have the effect of enriching the mixture in the engine sufficiently to modify the appearance of the engine exhaust, thus giving a visible indication that the fuel tank -is full and warning the operator to turn the valve 24 so as to out 01f the suction and place the L-shaped passage in communication with the atmosphere through the port 21 and thus permit the float to drop.

The pipe [5 provides a means whereby liquid fuel from the storage tank M can pass into the tank H. At its lower end the pipe {5 is pro- .4 vided with a metal sleeve 34 in which is located a filter 35 held in position by a screw cap 36 having a slot 3! so that when the end of the cap 3% is at rest upon the bottom of the storage tank fuel can pass through the slot 3'1, and thence through .the filter and into the pipe H5.

The opposite end of the pipe I5 is attached to a hollow body 38 containing a valve 39 adapted to engage a valve seating it within the hollow body. The upper side of the valve 39 is provided with a central projection 4i, and the top of the casing 38 is provided with a threaded opening 42 in which screws a cap 43 having a projection M. A light compression spring :35 is held in position by the two projections and 44 and operates normally to keep the valv 39 closed.

The valve 39 is provided with a tubular stem 56 in which are slots 41. The casing is provided with a tubular portion 48 in which the valve can slide, and with a sleeve 49 which may be of rubber or similar material.

The plate I1 is provided with an opening in which is fixed a liquid inlet tube 5G, one side of which is provided with a slot 5|. The slot 5% is on the side of the tube 59 which is remote from the guide tube 28 so that when the tank is nearly full the turbulence caused by the incoming liquid will not affect the action of the float 2%.

Around the upper portion of the tube 59 the plate I! is recessed, a shown at 52. When it is desired to fill the fuel tank the body 38 is pushed downwardly to make thesleeve 59 engage in the recess 52. The upper edge 53 of the inlet tube 50 then engages the lower edge of the tubular stem 46 and raises the valve so as to bring the slots or ports 41 into register with the interior of the hollow body 38. The material of the part 49 provides sufficient friction with the wall of the recess 52 to ensure that the body 38 will retain the position in which communication for liquid is established through the ports 4?, hollow stem 45 and tube 53. The lower end of the tube 59 is open.

A further L-sha-ped opening having a horizontal limb 54 and vertical limb 55 may be provided in the plate [1, and the limb 513 may be threaded on its interior and may receive an adjustable screwed tube 53, which may be locked in position by a lock nut 57. The inner end of this tube is formed as a seating 58 for a ball 5%! acted upon by a spring 60 the inner end of which engages a recess 61 formed in the plate l? in line with the tube 56. The purpose of this provision is to provide a safety Valve to prevent the collapse of the tank ll through excessive suction. Should the suction become excessive, air can pass into the tank through the tube 5% and past the ball 59 and into the limb 55 of the ,L-shaped passage in the plate [1. The degree of suction-at which this device operates can be adjusted by adjusting the tube 56 axially so as to increase or decrease the ressure of the spring 88 on the ball 59.

In operation, for filling the tank of a tractor, as shown in Figure l, or for filling any other tank from a storage vessel, the member 34 at the lower end of the pipe 15 is placed in the storage vessel and the member 49 is pushed down into the recess 52, thus opening the valve 3%. The valve 24 is turned into the position shown in Figure 3 and the engine 62 is run at a suitable speed. The pipe It does not supply all the air required for the engine but the engine does take some air through this pipe, thus creating vacurum in the tank I I so that liquid fuel is drawn in through the pipe l and begins to fill the tank. When the level of the liquid in the tank II is near the top it causes the float 29 to rise so that it substantially seals the lower end of the vertical limb of the passage 22 when the tank is full. The valve 24 may now be turned into its alternative position, allowing air to enter the L-shaped passage so as to release the float from suction. The engine can now be stopped or left running, and the hollow body 38 is moved away from the to of the tank, the valve 39 closing automatically as the member 49 is pulled out of the recess 52.

The float 29 is provided with the groove 32 so that when the float is in its raised position, that is to say when the tank is full, a small quantity of liquid fuel is allowed to pass to the induction pipe of the engine. This will enrich the mixture to the extent which will cause a modification in the appearance of the exhaust gas, thus giving a visible indication of the fact that the tank is full.

The invention can also be used for emptying a flooded drain, either by employing a plate such as I! and its associated parts on a collecting vessel. In such a case the collecting vessel is provided with a valve-controlled outlet so that it can be emptied at intervals.

What I claim then is:

1. In a filling apparatus for the fuel tank of an internal combustion engine having a suction intake manifold and exhaust, a plate for application to the filler opening of said tank, a suction passage through said plate whereby the inside of said tank may be connected to said suction manifold, a further passage through said plate Whereby fuel may be fed into said tank, said further passage being adapted to be connected to a pipe leading from a fuel supply point, a float valve for controllin the opening in said suction passage, a guide means attached to said plate and surrounding said float and said float being permitted limited up and down movement in said guide means; the provision of a float of cylindrical shape, guide means comprising a tubular sheath surrounding the lower end of said suction passage, said sheath, said float and the lower end of said suction passage being concentrically arranged and a transverse groove in the upper end of said float whereby, when said tank is full and said float in its raised position a limited quantity of fuel is drawn into said suction manifold to pro duce a visible smoke from the exhaust of said engine.

2. In a liquid filling apparatus of the kind comprising a plate for application to the filler opening of a collecting tank, a suction passage through said plate whereby the inside of said tank may be connected to a source of suction, a further passage through said plate whereby liquid may be fed into said tank, said further passage being adapted to be connected to a pipe leadin from a liquid supply point, a float valve for controlling the opening in said suction passage, guide means attached to said plate and surrounding said float and said float being permitted limited up and down movement in said guide means; the provision of a float of cylindrical shape, guide means comprisin a tubular sheath surrounding the -lower end of said suction passage, said sheath,

said float and the lower end of said suction passage being concentrically arranged, a transverse groove in the upper end of said float, axially arranged slots in the wall of said sheath, said slots being covered by said float when it is in its raised tank may be connected to a source of suction,

a further passage through said plate whereby liquid may be fed into said tank, said further passage being adapted to be connected to a pipe leading from a liquid supply point, a float valve for controlling the opening in said suction passage, guide means attached to said plate and surrounding said float and said float being permitted limited up and down movement in said guide means; the provision of a float of cylindrical shape, guide means comprising a tubular sheath surrounding the lower end of said suction passage, said sheath, said float and the lower end of said suction passage being concentrically arranged and a transverse groove in the upper end of said float, axially arranged slots in the wall of said sheath, a portion of said slots being exposed when said float is in its lower position, a pipe connected to the outer end of said suction passage and being adapted to be connected. to a source of suction, a three way control valve in said pipe whereby said source of suction can be connected to said suction passage, said suction passage can be connected to atmosphere or said source of suction can be connected to atmosphere.

4. In a liquid filling apparatus of the kind comprising a plate for application to the filler opening of a collecting tank, a suction passage through said plate whereby the inside of said tank may be connected to a source of suction, a further passage through said plate whereby liquid may be fed into said tank, said further passage being adapted to be connected to a pipe leading from a liquid supply point, a float valve for controlling the opening in said suction passage, guide means attached to said plate and surrounding said float and said float being permitted limited up and down movement in said guide means; the provision of a float of cylindrical shape, guide means comprising a tubular sheath surrounding the lower end of said suction passage, said sheath, said float and the lower end of said suction passage being concentrically arranged and a transverse groove in the upper end of said float, said further passage comprising a tube passing through said plate, the lower end of said tube projecting below said plate and being disposed adjacent said sheath and an elongated slot in said tube, said slot being disposed in the opposite side of the tube to said sheath so that any turbulence caused by incoming liquid will not affect the action of said float.

5. In a liquid filling apparatus of the kind comprising a plate for application to the filler opening of a collecting tank, a suction passage through said plate whereby the inside of said tank may be connected to a source of suction, a further passage through said plate whereby liquid may be fed into said tank, said further passage being adapted to be connected to a pipe leading from a liquid supply point, a float valve for controlling the opening in said suction passage, guide means attached to said plate and surrounding said float and said float being permitted limited up and down movement in said guide means; the provision of a float of cylindrical shape, guide means sieptisi e a tubula sh at urro ndi g t ow" sa -Qt sai sucfionpa aea s sh id float and th l we an o said su t n sage being concentrically arranged and a transverse groove in the upper end of said float, said furtl er passage comprising a tube passing through said plate, said plate having a recess in its upper Iaee and surrounding said tube, a nozzle on the end 0; the pipe leading from the supply point, a hollow cylindrical valve stem slidably mounted in said nozzle, said valve stem being of the same diameter as said tube, ports in said valve stern, a head on said valve stem, a spring engaging said valve stem and urging it into a sit qn n wh ch said or s a e closed, said n zle being adapted to engage in said recess, said REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,443,977 Carr Feb. 6, 1923 2,192,681 Gragg Mar. 5, 1940 2,356,428 Ranney Aug. 22, 1944 

